Puru Blaka

This is an Ingi Puru Blaka, a traditional ceremony taking place in my village, Redi Doti, in Resortt Caroline, Para District, Suriname.
The idea behind this ceremony is that while a family is in mourning following the death of a loved one, they wear black or dark blue, symbolizing their sorrow. They decorate their skin with “Putu Blaka” (Put on Black) a semi-permanent stain made from jungle nuts.
When an appropriate length of time has passed they hold a ceremony where everyone spend the entire night, until sun rise, dancing and singing. This is called a sixi weekie (Six week – after the length of time that has passed). When the sun comes out the Puru Blaka (Pull off Black) starts, and everyone goes home and comes back dressed in red – a celebration color. The last few pieces of the ceremony celebrate the family’s end of mourning period.